William Henry Colby

ILLIAM H. COLBY. Among all the men who have practiced law in Springfield, and won an honorable name in the ranks of the profession, none is better tieserving of representation in a volume of this nature than William H. Colby, now Laster in Chancery lie has risen to prominence by dint of his own efforts, backed by the indomitable will and powers of mind which came to him as a heritage from honorable ancestors. His youth was spent in a manner which to one weak of will would have prevented any amount of mental culture, but which to him, as to other men of note in our State, seemed but to add keenness to his wits and force to his determination.

Our subject was born in Orange County, N. Y., September 14, 1849, and was an infant but six months old when the family removed to Cook County, Ill. There the father, James Colby, was engaged as a railroad contractor until about 1858, when he laid down the cares of life and joined the "sheeteil nations of the dead." In 1863 the mother, Anna (Abbott) Colby, entered interest. In March of that year the son of whom we write came to Springfield with a single suit of clothes, and twenty-five cents in money which he paid for a night's lodging, retiring supperless. The next day he sought employment and found it with George Bergen, a farmer east of Springfield, in whose employ he remained for ten years. He worked by the month, receiving 16 during the first eight months, but his wages finally increasing to $25.

During that period Mr. Colby did what he could to advance his education, and having determined to become versed in the law, he borrowed legal works from the Hon. Charles A. Kejes, reading them evenings and rainy days, and keeping them hidden in a wheat bin. Before he went into an office regularly he had gained a very good understanding of the common law as given in the v.ritiugs of lUackstone and others. Mr. Colby devoted one year to study in the college of which Dr. John G. Scott, the father-in-law of President Harrison, was President. After completing his literary education, he read law in the office of Patton & Lanphier, of Springfield, continuing his studies with them until he was admitted to the bar in January, 1878.

Mr. Colby at once located for practice, and has steadily worked his way onward and upward, taking a place among the prominent and visit)g attorneys of the city. He has devoted himself assiduously to the practice of his profession, and has never given up the habit of careful and earnest study. In 1882 he was elected City Attorney, and at the expiration of his term of office was in partnership with William F. Herndon for a year. He subsequently formed a connection with Kobert L. McGuire, which continued until his appointment as Master in Chancery in 1881).

In Rochester Township, October 4, 1875, Mr. Colby was united in marriage with Miss Henrietta Cantrill. This lady is a daughter of Joel Cantrill, one of the early settlers of the county, who came either from Kentucky, and died many years ago. It would naturally be supposed that Mr. Colby would be attracted only to a lady of intelligence and graces cf character, and such was the case. His wife has made his home an attractive and happy one, and the children who have been born to them owe much to her counsel and care. The family circle includes Charles P., Honoretta B., George B., Mabel and Catherine L.

PORTRAIT AND BtOGRAPHtCAL ALBUM.

Mr. Colby lias taken an active part in local politics as a worker in the ranks of the Democratic party, and his powers of mind and worth of character give his words and actions decided weight. He has been a member of the Masonic order for many years. In religion he is a Presbyterian, enrolled amonsf the members of the First Church.

As printed in Portrait and biographical album of Sangamon County, Illinois (1891). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.